Term Papers
 
 
History Term Paper Format
 
1. All papers are to be typed, double-spaced, with one inch (1") margins.
 
2. All papers will have a cover sheet containing the name of the paper, the course (e.g., History 11, History 12, History 1, etc.), the student's name and the date. Do not use report covers, plastic folders, etc.
 
3. All papers should be between 7-10 pages in length, exclusive of cover sheet, bibliography, and end notes.
 
4. Students will consult at least two sources besides their textbook(s), in preparing their paper. You may use encyclopedias and other reference material (including Internet sources), provided these materials are properly cited as footnotes or endnotes, and in the bibliography.
 
5. Proper bibliography citation form can be found in reference books such as Chicago Manual of Style, Turabian's Term Papers, These, etc., and White's The Elements of Style.  
How To Get Started  
    The real center of any institution of higher learning is the college library. Although using the library, any library, may seem somewhat daunting, most college libraries are very friendly places, filled with professional staff eager to help.
 
A. Where do I go first?
    The most likely place to begin your search for a research topic is your textbook. If you are interested in material about the Founding Fathers, for example, consult the chapters in your text, and see what sources the authors used in preparing each chapter.
 
B. Where can I look up an historical "fact"?
    Most reference books are in dictionary form; that is, entries are listed in alphabetical order. Books such as the Encyclopedia of American History, ed. Richard B. Morris, or the Oxford Companion to American History, ed. Eric Foner and John Garraty, may be extremely useful in providing citable pieces of information, and even help guide you to other sources.
 
C. How can I find out more about a person?
    Because history records the activities of people, the biographical volumes of a reference department are very important to the student/scholar. Most libraries have a set of the Dictionary of American Biography. These volumes contain lengthy biographical sketches of deceased person who lived in the United States. For women in American history, you might wish to consult the multi-volume Notable American Women, by various editors.
 
D. How do I avoid plagiarism?
    The simple answer is, of course, don't do it! Not only does it fly in the face of Academic Honesty, but it's rude to neglect giving credit where it is due. There are at least three kinds of plagiarism, all of which can be avoided. First is deliberate plagiarism, which is copying or paraphrasing someone else's work, whether book, article or a term paper. You may be tempted, but don't. We can spot someone else's work, whether from term paper mills, or computer generated material. Second, avoid inadvertent plagiarism. You may have, without realizing it, included large portions of another's words to memory and then written them down as your own. The best way to avoid this is to keep good notes. You must give a citation for every fact and idea unless it is (a) general knowledge or (b) your personal observation or thought. Third is ignorant plagiarism. This happens when you don't know the rules. Some students think that only direct quotes must have citations. Don't fall into this trap!
 
    When in doubt, give a citation. It is better to be chided for being overly sensitive to proper attribution then to have your paper returned to you with the word SOURCE? written all over the margins.
 
E. What are the rules of citation?
    The rules of citation demand careful attribution and practice. The following are some of the most common areas where proper cites must be used:
    1. all word-for-word quotations (except common sayings)
    2. all passages that you have summarized or paraphrased
    3. all charts, graphs, and diagrams that are not your own
    4. all statistics that you have not compiled yourself
    5. all theories and interpretations that are not your own
    6. all key words or terms you have taken from a specific source
 
F. How do I go from rough draft to "turninable" final copy?
    When you are satisfied that you have done your best work in rough draft form, prepare the final paper. Try to approach this as if you were submitting the material to an editor with the hope of being paid for it. Who knows? Someday you may be!
 
1. Have an adequate supply of paper on hand. If using a typewriter, test the ribbon to make sure the print is legible. Have correction fluid or tape on hand to fix mistakes.
 
2. If you are using a computer, especially a Mac, stay away from the more "exotic" typefaces. Use 10 or 12 point type.
 
3. Set and leave your typewriter/word processor on double-space. Nothing, including quotes and endnotes, may be less than double-spaced.
 
4. Numbering. Number each page one-half inch from the top right, consecutively throughout the paper, including endnotes and bibliography.
 
5. Quotations of more than four (4) lines should be indented ten spaces from the left and not enclosed in quotation marks. You should continue to double-space, even if your style sheet says to single-space.
 
6. The bibliography should appear at the very end of the paper, after the endnotes, if this is the form you are using. In any case, the bibliography should always be the very last page of your finished product.
 
7. Proofreading is essential! Read the final copy several times, at least once out loud, and maybe to a friend. Get someone else to read it if you can. Double check everything. Use your spell checkers.
 
8. Make copies of your work. You should always make a copy of your paper before you hand it in. Never give your professor the copy. If you used a computer, save a copy of your paper on a floppy disk in case. Accidents always happen, and its best to be prepared.
 
9. Staple the pages of the final paper together. Not all of your professors may ask you to do this. I do.

- Last Updated: 1/13/09